(ORLEANS) - Indiana's electric cooperatives and their statewide magazine, Electric Consumer, are accepting applications for awards that recognize the community spirit of Indiana's youth.

The Youth Power and Hope Awards program honors students in fifth through eighth grades who are leaders in their communities and whose parents live on electric cooperative lines in Indiana.

Five winners will be selected to travel to Indianapolis in December to be recognized and attend a special program in their honor. In addition, winners will be featured in Electric Consumer.

"One of the founding principles of Orange County REMC is a commitment to community," said Matthew C Deaton, General Manager/CEO of Orange County REMC. "We are proud to be a part of recognizing the community service efforts of our youth."

Past award recipients include students who have initiated a coat drive for the underprivileged, supported patients at Riley Hospital for Children, worked with special needs children, volunteered at a local animal shelter, raised money for the American Cancer Society, and more.

Applicants must submit an application form, examples of how they have been involved in their local communities, and a reference letter from a trusted adult.

Visit electricconsumer.org/?p=230 for an application and to learn about past award recipients.

Applications are due Friday, Sept. 30.

Oliver Luck, NCAA executive vice president of regulatory affairs, will be the featured speaker at the 2016 Youth Power and Hope Awards presentation in December.

Luck joined the NCAA in 2014 after serving as director of athletics at West Virginia University. A former NFL quarterback, he is also the father of Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Andrew Luck.

The top five applicants will be invited to attend the Indiana Electric Cooperatives annual meeting Dec. 6 where they will receive their awards and attend a private recipients' reception with Luck.

Orange County REMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Located in Orleans, IN., this electric utility
cooperative serves over 8,000 members in Orange, Martin, Lawrence, Washington and Crawford Counties. For more
information about the cooperative visit www.myremc.coop.